Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Analysis

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom The theatrical production Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one that has many themes. Not only does the playwright August Wilson bring up several thoughts on the injustices and social issues of the time he also displays how it effected blacks. With all of these ideas it made me wonder what audience was Wilson trying to address with play. In reading the play there were several instances where I could see where Wilson was addressing a mixed audience. Let me explain. In the beginning, for example, it can be noted that the producers who are talking about dealing with Ma Rainey, are getting ready for rehearsal. Wilson appears to showing us to sides of story of how they feel about recording Ma. In one way there is Sturdyvant All they want is my voice. Well, I done learned that, and they gonna treat me like I want to be treated no matter how much it hurt them. They back there now calling me all kinds of names . . . calling me everything but a child of god. But they can't do nothing else. They ain't got what they wanted yet. As soon as they get my voice down on them recording machines, then it's just like if I'd be some whore and they roll over and put their pants on. Ain't got no use for me then. I know what I'm talking about. You watch. Irvin right there with the rest of them. He don't care nothing about me either(p.29).” Wilson does a very great job to make sure that both sides, Black and White audience can benefit from Ma Rainey’s untold story, however, question who would benefit the most from viewing this play? Ultimately, I believe that both audience would benefit from viewing it. With a black audience it would beneficial to see the effects of racial decimation which caused their over usage of ‘Nigger’ by band members and Ma Rainy and self hatred. Examples can be seen here from Levee and Slow Drag. Levee "Where you get this nigger from, Cutler? He sounds like one of them Alabama niggers." You the only cracker-talking nigger I know." (p.7) LEVEE “Well, what is you doing, nigger? Talking all them highfalutin ideas about making a better world for the colored man. What is you doing to make it better? You playing the music and looking for your next piece of pussy same as we is. What is you doing? That's what I wanna know. Tell him,

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